Part E, as in Expensive. RECOMMENDS ELECTRONIC FIELD TABLETS – why not? Sure, such computer equipment might indeed be helpful and more convenient in the preparation/execution of a maintenance/repair/replacement project but shouldn’t traditional, dependable, tried and true, “old school” procedures and techniques be successfully demonstrated first – prior to launching a very expensive technological upgrade for convenience? Think of it this way, no doubt most of you reading this blah blah blah right now would benefit in a number of ways with the acquisition of a new motor vehicle with all the “bells and whistles” available for a 2017-2018 model.  (Visual monitors at different perspectives?  Automatic parallel parking – can you imagine that convenience in a high density parking limited urban area?  GPS navigation, on board diagnostic displays, communication/internet/entertainment systems, etc.) Seriously, who wouldn’t appreciate a new motorcycle, ATV, sports car, pickup, or motor boat?  Heck, why stop there…..(especially when paid for with money from others) … how many might use and enjoy their own personal aircraft or helicopter with which to commute back and forth to work?   Perhaps literally “drop the kids off at school” —  with required “top of the line” age/height/weight appropriate parachute and/or glider of course) then maybe zip over to a semi distant metropolitan area for some shopping and/or rest and relaxation activities?  Maybe a quick vacation out of state for the weekend?  Heck, if jet propulsion maybe out of country?   Perhaps some day…….<I digress> Unfortunately, most of us do not have the disposable income required to rush out and purchase a new vehicle (or whatever) every year on a whim, – no matter how desirable or appealing the newest “bells and whistles” might be.  Nope, for most of us there are other bills and financial obligations that must be considered and dealt with first to avoid such dire consequences as bankruptcy or developing a very close personal relationship with creditors and the IRS. Kampa, on the other hand, can afford to recommend all the “bells and whistles” one might imagine because if board approved, those costs are simply passed on to customers. Do not forget that such “upgrades” will ALSO CERTAINLY benefit existing, and encourage greater, “management opportunities” with increased compensation. Yup, whether necessary, prudent or even successful,  Kampa will still get paid, and paid more with every new “bell and whistle” he can talk the board into approving – all the while increasing the financial burden on the economic shoulders of <MR WECs>. Kampa also mentioned communication from the field to the office?  Surely he is aware of the communication difficulties in these foothills – doesn’t he remember the AMR (automatic meter reading) project that has struggled for decades due to topography, line of sight signals and integration of differing technologies? Yes, in a perfect world I can easily imagine such field tablets working seamlessly with other equipment, software and as a benefit to our workforce and hopefully one day that will be the case, but seriously, consider the “reality” of the LDPCSD situation for a moment.  (Rather like Kampa slipped the word “reality” in during meeting discussion of the failures at lake intake – more time….more money.) The REALITY is, even after 37 years of operation as a nonprofit local public agency, the LDPCSD still cannot simply provide water to the designated Merced River Water entitled customers of the subdivision according to a variety of very clear rules, regulations and water license place of use restrictions.  Will an “electronic tablet” provide ethical management? THE “WE” EVENTUALLY TRANSFORMS TO “U$” For only $_____ “WE” could this!  And “WE” could that! “WE, WE, WE……all the way home” – to another near bankruptcy or substantial rate and fee increase? (3 little pigs, right?) Isn’t it peculiar how that “WE” inevitably turns to “U$” when the time comes to pay for these “improvements” and “upgrades”?    Who is going to organize and prepare all those old documents (that were allowed to remain AFTER THE ARSON OF THE ADMIN OFFICE), maps, and miscellaneous paperwork for downloading into these “field tablets”? [Will this help assist in yet another attempted RE-WRITE OF LDPCSD HISTORY?  “that’s what it said on my tablet”]  Who will repair and upgrade software revisions for these tablets?  What about additional insurance against damage/loss?  Employee device training?   I wonder, do employees (or rather, soon to be “employee”) actually want the added responsibility of caring for a piece of semi-sensitive electronic equipment in their often extremely rough working environment?  (Someone might ask before we have zero operations employees.) Seems to me, even with “old school paperwork”, the material should already be organized and available for such anticipated work.   When I replaced the hard drives in my computer (something never done before) I had already developed a “battle plan” before opening the computer case and potentially damaging sensitive components with a static charge due to touching things I should not.   I researched the topic on the internet, downloaded instructions and helpful images – even watched some educational videos on the procedure, before starting the job.  Sure, there is never a guarantee of success, however,   P P P P P P! (Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance) SECURITY ISSUES? Imagine all the information that could be wrongfully utilized if only one of these “loaded tablets” were lost or stolen?  Our entire district infrastructure, complete with its vulnerabilities, would be in an easy to disseminate digital format ready for delivery to some God forsaken third party with malicious activity and destruction as a goal?  (Perhaps for another modest additional fee, Kampa will also design and implement an ongoing security program to protect his “crop of customers” from unwarranted attack by other hostiles?)  lol Sounds like the LDPCSD is being positioned into ultimately having to create its own technology department or perhaps an “IT Specialist” management position.  (One which would undoubtedly also answer directly to our “remote” general manager.   You know, one of those positions where IT employees could also compete and fight in the CSD “EMPLOYEE GLADIATOR PIT“ … Continue reading E August 21 2017 LDPCSD Board Meeting